DAY NINE----July 7th---Douro!
From Green To Brown!
Vinho Verde was lush as was Porto but as we made our way towards the Douro it was very evident that the climate and topography was changing. The heat started to mount and the air became dry. I somewhat mentioned the change. Marcio stated, "This is nothing! Wait until you REALLY notice the heat as we go along!"
Quinta da Pacheca
This 36 hectare winery is among the oldest documented in the Douro. Well represented in the chronicles of Roman writers, the medieval documents of this Quinta go back to 1551. Remnants of 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th Century buildings are common. Others date back to the 12th Century.
They started making wine in the 18th Century though the cellar has been renovated in recent years. The estate is run by Maria, Catarina and Jose Serpa Pimental.
The drive in was quite attractive with trees framing the picturesque pathway to the elegant mansion. We passed the wine cellar that housed some very old vintages as well as new wine!
For many years, the Quinta made Royal Court Wine and a bit of red/white wine for family use.
Wine
White
Quinta da Pacheca Branco: Made from three grapes, Cerceal,Gouveio,Malvasia Fina.
Citrus, Toasted Bread and lime finish. Nice wine with nice mouthfeel. Refreshing.
Quinta da Vale de Abraao: Dark with ripe red fruit bel pepper. On palate cherry/raspberry and field berry. Nice mouthfeel and finish. Pleasant finish that has just the right touch of acid and nice vanilla/anise linger.
Quinta da Pacheca Red: From Touriga Nacional, Tint Roriz, Touriga Franca. This wine will be very long lasting and capable wine for the near future. Tastes of some red fruit and dark desserts. Long, long finish! May last ten years, I said and then some! Nice wines!
Quinta da Pacheca Reserva: Same varieties as above but greater Lagare fermentation.Wine is full and dense with ripe red and black fruit and a long anise finish.
Quinta da Pacheca Vintage Port:Dark, opaque and full of dark plum and deep fruit flavours. Liquorice and ripe figs round out the dense taste of this port.
After the tasting we went for a fabulous dinner with the family and then bid farewell. Next on our list was the Casa Amarela.
Casa Amarela
This Quinta has been around since 1885. It's grounds are spacious and have much in the way of fruit from Orange and Lemon trees on the property. Of course there are the vines. The Quinta was a Port making facility but has begun to make still wines in 2000. It has received a tourism award for its encouragement of some 2500 visitors in one year (2006).
Wines
Red
Amarela Tinto: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Barocca, Tinto Amarela. Ripe red cherry and raspberry. Nice mouth feel and full bodied. Pleasant finish.
Amarela Tinto Reserva:Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Roriz. Made from 60 year old vines. Deep, Dense Concentration of ripe red and black fruit. Very rich flavours with an almost port like opaqueness. Fig and anise add to the full mouth feel. Long, long finish.
Amarela Port Reserve:
Forward for a Port with black cherry, blackberry, plum, figs on nose and palate. Very pleasant to drink on own or with sweet fruit such as figs or chocolate. Blue cheese would also be a match.
Good for several years aging.
Quinta da Casa Amarela Horta Do Douro:
A White Port that is full of flavours such as jasmine, toffee and butterscotch with a nose of pineapple, mango, creamy apricot and banana.Full and sweet on the palate with a creamy texture that is underpinned by a great acidity. Nice.
We finished with Casa Amarela and proceeded to register at the fabulous Douro River Hotel & Spa which overlooked the Douro River from high up. The hotel was new and phenomenal. A lavish dinner at the DOC Restaurant nearby ended a lovely day. Marcio, Greg and I celebrated the event by having a well deserved beer (for a change) on the patio overlooking the river.
End of Day 9
Vinho Verde was lush as was Porto but as we made our way towards the Douro it was very evident that the climate and topography was changing. The heat started to mount and the air became dry. I somewhat mentioned the change. Marcio stated, "This is nothing! Wait until you REALLY notice the heat as we go along!"
Quinta da Pacheca
This 36 hectare winery is among the oldest documented in the Douro. Well represented in the chronicles of Roman writers, the medieval documents of this Quinta go back to 1551. Remnants of 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th Century buildings are common. Others date back to the 12th Century.
They started making wine in the 18th Century though the cellar has been renovated in recent years. The estate is run by Maria, Catarina and Jose Serpa Pimental.
The drive in was quite attractive with trees framing the picturesque pathway to the elegant mansion. We passed the wine cellar that housed some very old vintages as well as new wine!
For many years, the Quinta made Royal Court Wine and a bit of red/white wine for family use.
Wine
White
Quinta da Pacheca Branco: Made from three grapes, Cerceal,Gouveio,Malvasia Fina.
Citrus, Toasted Bread and lime finish. Nice wine with nice mouthfeel. Refreshing.
Quinta da Vale de Abraao: Dark with ripe red fruit bel pepper. On palate cherry/raspberry and field berry. Nice mouthfeel and finish. Pleasant finish that has just the right touch of acid and nice vanilla/anise linger.
Quinta da Pacheca Red: From Touriga Nacional, Tint Roriz, Touriga Franca. This wine will be very long lasting and capable wine for the near future. Tastes of some red fruit and dark desserts. Long, long finish! May last ten years, I said and then some! Nice wines!
Quinta da Pacheca Reserva: Same varieties as above but greater Lagare fermentation.Wine is full and dense with ripe red and black fruit and a long anise finish.
Quinta da Pacheca Vintage Port:Dark, opaque and full of dark plum and deep fruit flavours. Liquorice and ripe figs round out the dense taste of this port.
After the tasting we went for a fabulous dinner with the family and then bid farewell. Next on our list was the Casa Amarela.
Casa Amarela
This Quinta has been around since 1885. It's grounds are spacious and have much in the way of fruit from Orange and Lemon trees on the property. Of course there are the vines. The Quinta was a Port making facility but has begun to make still wines in 2000. It has received a tourism award for its encouragement of some 2500 visitors in one year (2006).
Wines
Red
Amarela Tinto: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Barocca, Tinto Amarela. Ripe red cherry and raspberry. Nice mouth feel and full bodied. Pleasant finish.
Amarela Tinto Reserva:Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Roriz. Made from 60 year old vines. Deep, Dense Concentration of ripe red and black fruit. Very rich flavours with an almost port like opaqueness. Fig and anise add to the full mouth feel. Long, long finish.
Amarela Port Reserve:
Forward for a Port with black cherry, blackberry, plum, figs on nose and palate. Very pleasant to drink on own or with sweet fruit such as figs or chocolate. Blue cheese would also be a match.
Good for several years aging.
Quinta da Casa Amarela Horta Do Douro:
A White Port that is full of flavours such as jasmine, toffee and butterscotch with a nose of pineapple, mango, creamy apricot and banana.Full and sweet on the palate with a creamy texture that is underpinned by a great acidity. Nice.
We finished with Casa Amarela and proceeded to register at the fabulous Douro River Hotel & Spa which overlooked the Douro River from high up. The hotel was new and phenomenal. A lavish dinner at the DOC Restaurant nearby ended a lovely day. Marcio, Greg and I celebrated the event by having a well deserved beer (for a change) on the patio overlooking the river.
End of Day 9
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 7:34 AM
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